Press fit condulet devices, assemblies systems and methods for electrical raceway fabrication

ABSTRACT

A conduit outlet assembly for a rigid metal conduit raceway of an electrical system is provided. A conduit outlet assembly includes a gasket, a gripping ring, and a condulet assembly. The gasket is sized to circumscribe an outer surface of a rigid metal conduit of the rigid metal conduit raceway. The gripping ring is sized to circumscribe the outer surface of the rigid metal conduit. The condulet assembly is sized to receive the rigid metal conduit, and includes an adapter and a condulet. The adapter includes a compression section and a coupling section, wherein the compression section is sized to receive the rigid metal conduit with the gasket and the gripping ring disposed thereon. The condulet is sized to receive the coupling section of the adapter.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/840,551, filed Apr. 30, 2019, the entire contents and disclosures ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The field of the disclosure relates generally to conduit assemblies orraceways for electrical systems, and more particularly to cold pressconduit outlet assemblies and condulet assemblies for interconnectingelectrical conduits.

Rigid metal conduit (RMC) raceways are often used to carry and protectelectrical wiring or cabling in an electrical system of an industrialfacility, such as gas stations, refineries, and power plants.Conventional RMC raceways are constructed by coupling lengths ofthreaded conduits together with threaded couplers, e.g., conduletfittings or condulets, with the couplers also providing access points tothe wires to assist in pulling wires through the conduit over largedistances. Condulets are known to effect a change in direction of aconduit and cabling in the fabrication of an RMC raceway.

While known condulets are effective to provide the desiredinterconnections of conduit, they are prone to certain problems andimprovements are desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments are described with referenceto the following Figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to likeparts throughout the various drawings unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 is a perspective cross-sectional view of an exemplary knowncondulet.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an exemplary press-fit condulet assemblycoupled with a non-threaded conduit according to a first exemplaryembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective cross-sectional view of another exemplarypress-fit condulet assembly coupled with a conduit according to a secondexemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a further exemplarypress-fit condulet assembly coupled with a conduit.

FIG. 5 is a perspective cross-sectional view of yet another exemplarypress-fit condulet assembly coupled with a conduit.

FIG. 6 is a process flow chart illustrating an exemplary method offabricating an electrical raceway with the press-fit condulet assembliesshown in FIGS. 2-5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Conventional conduits provide interconnection of rigid metal conduits tofabricate a wire or cable raceway in an electrical system. Threadedattachment of rigid metal conduits to one another and to threadedcondulets is conventionally performed in the installation of conduitsystems, but is sub-optimal in some aspects.

For example, when a length of threaded conduit exceeds a length neededfor a given installation, the conduit is cut and new threads aretypically formed on the remaining unthreaded end after cutting such thatthe conduit can still be coupled to a threaded condulet. However,forming new threads in the cut conduit can be time-consuming, dangerous,and laborious, thus increasing the cost, risk, and time to construct aconduit raceway. Moreover, forming threads on an end of a conduit thathas been cut without creating imperfections (e.g., an angled end of theconduit, or burrs and the like on the inside or outside of the conduit)in the connections requires a level of skill that the average worker mayor may not possess. Burrs and the like may damage the insulation ofelectrical wires or cables being pulled through the conduit and/or thethreaded connection between the conduit and the condulet, resulting inundesirable reliability issues.

Press fit couplers have been proposed for use in the assembling of araceway, but are limited in some aspects. Specifically, known press fitcouplers can be difficult to use with certain types of conduit, can beundesirably complicated and expensive from a component manufacturerperspective, require specialty tools to install, or can be difficultfrom the installer's perspective to reliably complete an adequate pressfit that includes an electrically-grounded connection.

Exemplary embodiments of improved, press fit conduit outlet assembliesand condulet assemblies that may be universally used in the fabricationof electrical raceways are described below that overcome thedeficiencies of conventional conduit interconnections discussed above.The inventive press fit conduit outlet assemblies disclosed hereinestablish an interference fit between a conduit and a condulet assembly,eliminating a need to use conventional, threaded conduit, simplifyingconnections in certain installations, and lowering the costs of conduitand time and labor costs to complete rigid metal conduit connections toconstruct an electrical raceway. To the extent that threaded conduit maystill be utilized, the press fit conduit outlet assemblies may still beused without any need to create threads on any threaded conduits thatare cut to a desired length. As such, the press fit conduit outletassemblies can be used with threaded or unthreaded conduits. Further,the conduit outlet assemblies described herein desirably provide a pathto electrical ground for a fabricated raceway. Method aspects in thisdisclosure will be in part apparent and in part explicitly discussed inthe following description.

In a first aspect, an inventive press fit condulet assembly for a rigidmetal conduit raceway of an electrical system includes a body having atleast one mating end configured to connect to an end of a rigid metalconduit via cold pressing force. A sealing element extends between atleast one mating end and a surface of the rigid metal conduit, and agrounding element extends between at least a portion of at least onemating end and the surface of the rigid metal conduit to establish anelectrical path to the ground through the connected rigid metal conduitand the body. A simpler, quicker and more convenient, press fitconnection of rigid metal conduits in an electrical conduit raceway istherefore possible that does not depend on threaded connections, whileensuring reliable mechanical interconnection and an electrical groundpath established between the condulet assembly and the rigid metalconduit. The sealing element and a grounding element may extend betweenan inner surface of the condulet assembly and an outer surface of theconduit, or between an inner surface of the conduit and an outer surfaceof the condulet assembly, together with an optional adapter if needed toaccommodate varying inner and outer diameters of the condulets andconduits utilized to fabricate the raceway, as well as different typesof conduit (e.g., threaded and non-threaded).

In a second aspect, an inventive conduit outlet assembly is provided.The conduit outlet assembly includes a condulet assembly, a gasket, anda gripping ring. The gasket is sized to circumscribe an outer surface ofa conduit. The gripping ring may be electrically conductive, and issized to circumscribe an end of the conduit adjacent to the gasket. Apress fit condulet assembly is sized to receive the end of the conduitwith the gasket and the gripping ring thereon. When the conduletassembly is cold pressed to the conduit, the gasket establishes a sealbetween an inner surface of the condulet assembly and an outer surfaceof the conduit, and such that the gripping ring provides grounding foran electrical raceway. An optional adapter may be provided toaccommodate varying inner and outer diameters of the condulets andconduits utilized to fabricate the raceway, as well as different typesof conduit (e.g., threaded and non-threaded).

In a third aspect, an inventive electrical conduit assembly orelectrical raceway is provided including a conduit having an end, and acondulet assembly press-fit to the end of the conduit. The conduletassembly may include a receiver/condulet having an inner surface sizedto accept the end of the conduit and a gasket coupled to the conduit.The gasket establishes a seal between the inner surface of the conduletand the outer surface of the end of the conduit. Anelectrically-conductive gripping ring is coupled to the condulet and insurface contact with the inner surface of the condulet and the outersurface of the end of the conduit to provide an electrical ground paththerebetween. An optional adapter may be provided to accommodate varyinginner and outer diameters of the condulets and conduits utilized tofabricate the raceway, as well as different types of conduit (e.g.,threaded and non-threaded).

In a fourth aspect, a rigid metal conduit raceway system is providedincluding a plurality of rigid metal conduits, and a plurality of pressfit condulet assemblies establishing mechanical and electricalconnections between respective ones of the plurality of rigid metalconduits. Optional adapters may be provided to accommodate varying innerand outer diameters of the condulets and conduits utilized to fabricatethe raceway, as well as different types of conduit (e.g., threaded andnon-threaded). The system may be provided in kit form as a set ofmodular components that can be conveniently fabricated into any desiredraceway configurations.

In a fifth aspect, an inventive method of fabricating an electricalraceway is realized by the inventive conduit outlet assembly describedherein. The method includes providing a conduit and a press fit conduletassembly, with the condulet assembly having an inner diameter at an endthereof that is greater than an outer diameter of the conduit at an endof the conduit. The method includes positioning a gripping ring aboutthe end of the conduit, wherein the gripping ring includes anelectrically-conductive material and provides grounding for the raceway,positioning a gasket about the end of the conduit such that the gasketis adjacent to the gripping ring, and inserting the end of the conduitinto the end of the condulet assembly until the gripping ring and thegasket are disposed inside the condulet assembly. The mechanical andelectrical connection is completed via cold pressing of the conduletassembly to the end of the conduit. Cold pressing of the conduletassemblies further avoids time, expense and equipment to heat thecomponents that other types of conventional processes require to joinmetal parts (e.g., welding) entail. An optional adapter may be providedto accommodate varying inner and outer diameters of the condulets andconduits utilized to fabricate the raceway, as well as different typesof conduit (e.g., threaded and non-threaded).

The press fit conduit outlet assemblies and press fit methods for theirinstallation meet longstanding and unfulfilled needs in the art insimplifying raceway fabrication, allowing dramatic reduction in time andlabor costs to complete a raceway installation while ensuringreliability of the mechanical and electrical interconnectionsestablished. In the contemplated embodiments, inventive press fitconduit outlet assemblies designed to realize the cold-press conduitconnections reduce time and labor costs by 30% to 50% over conventionalraceway fabrication and installation processes.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary known condulet fitting, fitting, orcondulet 102 that is formed with hubs 104. Condulet 102 includes a wall106 defining a cavity 107. In the exemplary embodiment, wall 106 isformed with an aperture that traverses therethrough and that is normallycovered by a cover 108. Wall 106 and cover 108 may be fabricated from avariety of suitable materials including, but not limited to, steel,plastic, ceramic, and/or a combination of such materials.

Condulet 102 is formed with one or more hubs 104 to connect a rigidmetal conduit thereto. In the exemplary embodiment, hubs 104 areidentical and each is formed with hub threads 110 that extendcircumferentially about its inner surface 112 at a distal end 114 ofeach hub 104. Each hub 104 has a substantially circular cross-sectionalshape that has a diameter 118 that is slightly larger than an outerdiameter (not shown in FIG. 1) of the conduit (not shown in FIG. 1)being coupled to the condulet. In one embodiment, a diameter 118 definedby an inner surface 112 is approximately equal to ½ inches (1.27 cm), 1½inches (3.81 cm), 2 inches (5.08), and/or any other size of a conduitrecognized as standard in the trade. Hub 104 further includes a bushing124 that stops a conduit from being inserted too far into condulet 102.The conduit is formed with threads that complement and mate with hubthreads 110 to enable the conduit to couple to hub 104.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an exemplary improved conduit outletassembly 200 for use in coupling a conduit 202 to a condulet 204 in acold press fit fabrication of an electrical raceway 206 that includesconduits 202. Conduit 202 may be a rigid metal conduit. Conduit 202 maybe of any size, including a standard trade size, as described above, andmay include threads (not shown in FIG. 2) formed about its outer surface208 at its end 224. In the exemplary embodiment, conduit 202 is a hollowthin-walled conduit that is not formed with threads. Moreover, in theexemplary embodiment, conduit 202 is formed with a substantially uniformouter diameter 220 defined by its outer surface 208.

In the exemplary embodiment, conduit outlet assembly 200 is formed withand includes a condulet assembly 210. More specifically, conduletassembly 210 is a cast metal body formed into a condulet 204. Condulet204 includes an annular shoulder 212 that extend inwardly from its innersurface 214. Shoulder 212 is near an open end 236 of condulet assembly210. Shoulder 212 extends generally radially inward to limit aninsertion depth 218, i.e., a length that conduit 202 may be insertedwithin condulet open end 236. Surface of shoulder 212 may be smooth tolimit scratches or damage to cables or wiring. In some embodiments,condulet assembly 210 may be formed with different sized condulets toenable different sized conduits to be coupled to condulet assembly 210.

In the exemplary embodiment, condulet 204 is formed with an innerdiameter 219 that is slightly larger than an outer diameter 220 ofconduit 202. As such, conduit 202 is sized to be at least partiallyinserted into condulet assembly 210, and more specifically, intocondulet 204. The inner diameter 219 of the condulet 204 is exposed atthe distal end thereof, such that the body of the condulet 204 isopen-ended for an easier installation of the conduit. Compared toexisting press fit couplers for electrical raceway fabrication, there isno end wall in the condulet body at the distal end that includes asmaller, restricted opening having a reduced diameter through which theconduit is inserted. Elimination of such an end wall simplifies theshape of the condulet 204 and lowers its cost of fabrication, while alsosimplifying the assembly for installation by providing a larger openingarea for insertion of the conduit 202 at the distal end. Care isrequired, however, to avoid damaging the exposed sealing elements andgrounding elements at the distal end during installation of the conduit.

Conduit outlet assembly 200, in the exemplary embodiment, furtherincludes a gasket 222. Gasket 222 may be fabricated from any materialthat enables condulet assembly 210 to function as described herein,including but not limited to rubber, plastic, and/or elastomer.Moreover, a cross-sectional shape of gasket 222 may have any shape thatenables the gasket to function as described herein, including but notlimited to circular, elliptical, square, rectangular, triangular,octagonal, and/or combinations thereof. Furthermore, gasket 222 may befashioned as an O-ring, a cylindrical band, and/or any otherconfiguration that enables gasket 222 to function as described herein.

Gasket 222 is sized to circumscribe an end 224 of conduit 202. A height226 of gasket 222 is selected to enable gasket 222 to substantially seala gap 227 defined between conduit 202 and condulet assembly 210 when acompressive force is applied to condulet assembly 210. In the exemplaryembodiment, gasket 222 is fabricated from a material that is at leastpartially elastic to enable gasket 222 to be compressed between conduletassembly 210 and conduit 202 as conduit end 224 is inserted intocondulet assembly 210. Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, gasket 222extends continuously about conduit end 224. Alternatively, gasket 222may be segmented and multiple pieces may be positioned about conduit end224 in a manner that facilitates sealing as a compressive force isapplied to condulet assembly 210. Gasket 222 may be positioned at anylocation along a length 228 of conduit 202 that enables gasket 222 tofunction as described herein. In each embodiment, gasket 222substantially seals gap 227 defined between condulet assembly 210 andconduit 202 as gasket 222 is compressed and/or deformed by a compressiveforce (e.g., a press fitting).

Conduit outlet assembly 200 also includes a gripping ring 230. In theexemplary embodiment, gripping ring 230 is fabricated fromelectrically-conductive material. Gripping ring 230 may be cylindrical,round, or any other suitable shape that enables gripping ring 230 tofunction as described herein. For example, in one embodiment, grippingring 230 may be formed to have a relatively simple rounded cross section(circular in the illustrated example) and a rough outer surface.Gripping ring 230 interacts with conduit outer surface 208 and/or withan inner surface 231 of condulet assembly 210 via friction createdbetween the rough outer surface 233 of gripping ring 230 and conduitouter surface 208, and/or friction created between the rough outersurface 233 of gripping ring 230 and inner surface 231 of conduletassembly 210.

A thickness 235 of gripping ring 230 when uncompressed, is slightlylarger than a height 238 of gap 227 defined between inner surface 231 ofcondulet assembly 210 at end 236 and conduit outer surface 208 at end224. Thickness 235 of gripping ring 230 is reduced as gripping ring 230is compressed after conduit 202 is inserted into condulet 204 duringfabrication of raceway 206. Compression of the gripping ring changes itscross sectional shape to enlarge the surface area in contact with theconduit 202 on one side and the condulet 204 on the other side.

Gripping ring 230 is positioned adjacent to gasket 222 when raceway 206is fabricated. Alternatively, gripping ring 230 may be positioned suchthat gasket 222 is between a tip 240 of conduit end 224 and grippingring 230. When installed, gripping ring 230 provides a path to theelectrical ground in the raceway. For example, if conduit wall 232and/or condulet assembly 210 become electrically charged from staticelectricity, an internal short, and/or an external electrical source,gripping ring 230 provides a path to electrical ground.

In the exemplary embodiment, during assembly, conduit 202 is insertedinto condulet 204 at end 236. End 236 is then compressed onto conduitend 224 via an applied force of a press tool, such as a hydraulic tool.In the exemplary embodiment, the compression causes deformation ofcondulet end 236 which ensures conduit 202 is securely coupled tocondulet assembly 210. Moreover, during compression, gripping ring 230is compressed to ensure a ground is created between conduit 202 andcondulet 204. Furthermore, gasket 222 is also compressed to ensure thegap 227 between conduit 202 and condulet 204 is substantially sealed.Because of the deformation, the connection established is generallynon-releasable such that condulet 204 is not reusable after condulet 204is coupled to conduit 202 in a secure connection. As such, condulet 204would need to be mechanically removed, such as via a cutting operation,from conduit 202 in order for the conduit to be re-used.

FIG. 3 illustrates another exemplary conduit outlet assembly 302, with aconduit 202 inserted into condulet assembly 304. Conduit outlet assembly302 includes a cast metal body that is similar to that shown in FIG. 2and accordingly the like reference numerals are used in FIG. 2 are usedto identify like components illustrated in FIG. 3. Compared to conduitoutlet assembly 200 shown in FIG. 2, conduit outlet assembly 302includes an optional washer 306. Washer 306 may be fabricated from anymaterial that enables washer 306 to function as described herein,including but not limited to, a rubber material, a metallic material,and/or a cork material. Moreover, washer 306 may have anycross-sectional shape that enables washer 306 to function as describedherein, including but not limited to circular, elliptical, square,rectangular, trapezoidal, triangular, and/or octagonal. Furthermore,washer 306 may extend continuously about conduit 202 in a single piece,or alternatively, may be made of multiple pieces spaced about conduit202 in a manner that enables washer 306 to function as described herein.

In the exemplary embodiment, washer 306 is positioned between grippingring 230 and gasket 222. A radial thickness or height 307 of washer 306may be substantially the same as or less than a height 226 of gasket 222when gasket 222 is compressed. As such, washer 306 does not inhibitgasket 222 from creating a substantially fluid-impervious seal whencondulet assembly 304 is compressed against conduit 202. Washer 306facilitates limiting movement of gasket 222 and/or gripping ring 230 andensures that gasket 222 remains spaced apart from gripping ring 230. Asa result, washer 306 facilitates maintaining a relative position ofgasket 222 and/or gripping ring 230 during insertion of conduit 202within condulet 204, and as condulet 204 is compressed onto conduit 202.Further, because gasket 222 is made of softer material than the metallicmaterial of gripping ring 230, washer 306 serves as a separator betweengripping ring 230 and gasket 222 to limit any damages to gasket 222caused by gripping ring 230 when gripping ring 230 rubs against gasket222.

FIG. 4 illustrates another exemplary conduit outlet assembly 402 coupledwith a conduit 404 that includes threads 406. In some embodiments,conduit 404 does not include threads 406. Conduit outlet assembly 402includes a metal body that is substantially similar to that shown inFIGS. 2 and 3 and accordingly like reference numerals used in respectiveFIGS. 2 and 3 are also used to identify like components illustrated inFIG. 4. Compared to conduit outlet assemblies 200, 302 shown in FIGS. 2and 3, conduit outlet assembly 402 includes a condulet assembly 408 thatincludes an adapter 410, besides a condulet 412. Condulet 412 may beintegrally formed. In the exemplary embodiment, adapter 410 facilitatescoupling conduit 404 to conduit outlet assembly 402 and is coupledbetween conduit 404 and condulet 412. In the exemplary embodiment,conduit 404 is formed with threads 406 along its outer surface 208.However, conduit outlet assembly 402 is not formed with mating threadsalong its inner surface 413. By virtue of the adapter 410, however, thethreaded end of the conduit 404 may nonetheless be securely press fit tothe condulet 412.

Adapter 410 enables conduit 404 to be inserted within and coupled toconduit outlet assembly 402 such that gasket 222 and gripping ring 230are compressed against conduit outer surface 208. Some or all of gasket222, gripping ring 230, and if applicable washer 306, are compressedagainst smooth conduit outer surface 414 as shown. Because the adapteraxially extends that position of the gasket 222, gripping ring 230, andwasher 306 farther away from the condulet 412 on outer surface 208 ofconduit 404, the threads 406 do not affect the positioning of gasket222, gripping ring 230, or if applicable washer 306 on conduit end 430,which may be press fit to the conduit 404 at a location past the threads406. In another contemplated embodiment, however, one or more of thegasket 222, gripping ring 230, and washer 306 may alternatively bepressed against threads 406. Either way, the threaded end of the conduit404 can be inserted into the condulet 412 for press fit connectionthereto without having to cut the threaded end of the conduit 404 inorder to accomplish the press fit connection. As such, the adapter 410allows for more or less universal use of the condulet 412 with differenttypes of conduits (e.g., threaded and non-threaded).

The adapter 410 also bridges different diameters of the condulet 412 andconduit 404 via different portions of the adapter 410 having differentinternal and external diameters to complete connections between conduit404 and condulet 412 that otherwise may not be possible. For instance,the adapter 410 may allow press fit connection of a conduit having anexternal diameter that equals or exceeds the internal diameter of thecondulet, or may allow for press fit connection of a condulet having aninternal diameter that well exceeds the external diameter of a conduit.More or less universal use of the condulet 412 with different diameterconduits is therefore possible by virtue of the adapter 410.

In the exemplary embodiment, adapter 410 includes a compression section416, a transition section 418, and a coupling section 419. Gasket 222,gripping ring 230, and if applicable washer 306, are positioned withincompression section 416 of adapter 410 rather than in condulet 412. Assuch, only compression section 416 of the adapter 410 is press-fit viacompressive force to complete the connection to the conduit 404.Compression of the condulet 412 is not required to complete the pressfit connection. Adapter 410 may be fabricated from any material thatenables adapter 410 to function as described herein, including but notlimited to metallic materials, composite materials, and/or plasticmaterials, for example. To provide an electrical path to electricalground between the condulet 412 and the conduit 404 through the adapter410, the adapter 410 is fabricated to include electrically-conductivematerials, either wholly or partially in the adapter construction. Theadapter 410 may further be fabricated using the same or differentmaterial(s) used to fabricate the condulet 412, including but notlimited to cast steel or malleable iron.

Transition section 418 extends between compression and coupling sections416 and 419, respectively, and has an inner diameter 426 that is smallerthan an inner diameter 428 of compression section 416. Inner diameter426 is defined by a smooth wall 432 that extends between compressionsection wall 434 and a wall 438 defining an inner diameter 436 ofcoupling section 419. In some embodiments, transition section 418 has alength 440 that is selected to enable transition section 418 to extendabout an entire length or at least majority of the length of conduitthreads 406. In some embodiments, choice of length 440 is not influencedby the length of conduit threads 406. Accordingly, inner diameter 426 oftransition section 418 is slightly larger than an outer diameter 220 ofconduit 404 such that conduit threads 406 are received snugly withintransition section 418. Transition section 418 is not compressed whencompression forces are applied to adapter 410.

Coupling section 419 of adapter 410 is formed with an outer diameter 442that is slightly smaller than an inner diameter 444 of condulet 412 atcondulet end 236. As such, coupling section 419 is sized for insertionwithin condulet 412 in a snug fit. Condulet assembly 408 also includes aretaining ring 422 inserted within a groove 424 formed in inner surface214 of condulet 412 and/or a groove 425 formed in outer surface 446 ofadapter 410. Retaining ring 422 facilitates securely coupling adapter410 with condulet 412. Moreover, ring 422 facilitates substantiallysealing any gap defined between adapter outer surface 446 and conduletinner surface 214. Retaining ring 422 may be a continuous piece thatcircumscribes outer surface 446 of adapter 410, or alternatively, may bea segmented member that includes multiple pieces spaced about outersurface 446. Moreover, retaining ring 422 may be fabricated from anymaterial that enables ring 422 to function as described herein,including but not limited to, rubber, plastic, metal, and elastomer, forexample. Further, ring 422 may be fabricated from anelectrically-conductive material to facilitate a ground path connectionbetween the condulet 412 and the adapter 410.

Inner diameter 436 of coupling section 419 is smaller than conduit outerdiameter 220. As such, a transition shoulder 448 is defined betweentransition section inner wall 450 and coupling section inner wall 452.Transition shoulder 448 facilitates limiting an insertion depth ofconduit 404 within adapter 410. Similarly, shoulder 212 of condulet 412facilitates limiting an insertion depth of adapter 410 within condulet412.

FIG. 5 illustrates yet another exemplary conduit outlet assembly 502coupled with a conduit 404. Conduit outlet assembly 502 includes a castmetal body that is similar to that shown in FIG. 4, and hence likereference numerals in FIG. 4 are used to indicate like features in FIG.5. Similar to condulet assembly 408 shown in FIG. 4, condulet assembly504 of conduit outlet assembly 502 also includes an adapter 506, besidesa condulet 518. In the exemplary embodiment, adapter 506 includes acompression section 416, a transition section 418, and a couplingsection 510 that includes a flared end 508. In the exemplary embodiment,adapter 506 facilitates coupling conduit 404 to condulet 518 and iscoupled between conduit 404 and condulet 518. More specifically, in theexemplary embodiment, conduit 404 is formed with threads 406 along itsouter surface 208. However, conduit outlet assembly 502 is not formedwith mating threads along its inner surface 413.

Adapter 506 may be fabricated from any material that enables adapter 506to function as described herein, including but not limited to metallicmaterials, composite materials, and/or plastic materials, for example.

Coupling section 510 of adapter 506 is formed with an outer diameter 442that is slightly smaller than an inner diameter 444 of condulet 518 atcondulet end 512. Moreover, coupling section 510 includes a flared end508. Flared end 508 compresses radially inwardly while adapter 506 isinserted into condulet 518 and then snaps outwardly to be retained by aretaining shoulder 514 formed within condulet end 512. Alternatively,adapter 506 and condulet 518 are preassembled such that the flared end508 has been disposed within condulet end 512.

Although conduits 404 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 have threads, conduletassemblies 408 and 504 can also be used with conduit 202 (shown in FIGS.2 and 3), which does not include threads at its end, and vice versa.That is, condulet assemblies 210 and 304 (shown in respective FIGS. 2and 3) may likewise be used with a conduit 404 that includes threads 406or a conduit without threads. Condulet assemblies disclosed herein mayalso be used with a conduit including a tapered end or tapered threadswith or without an adapter.

Further, adapter 410, 506 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 may be used to coupleconduit 404, threaded or unthreaded, with a conventional condulet 102that has threaded hubs 104. In operation, conventional condulet 102 isused in place of condulet 412, 518. As a result, threads need not to becreated on the conduit or cumbersome coupling of long conduit into acondulet can be avoided.

While a single condulet assembly/conduit connection and a single conduitoutlet assembly is shown in FIGS. 2-5, in contemplated embodiments thecondulets and condulet assemblies shown in FIGS. 2-5 would be providedin combination in the same press fit condulet to interconnect two ormore conduits in any desired orientation to the same condulet. Forexample, the press-fit assemblies described in FIGS. 2-5 could beintegrated on opposing ends of the same condulet assembly to realize asimilar conduit connection and outlet to the condulet shown in FIG. 1,albeit with press-fittings instead of threads. In such a combination,the condulets used on each end may be the same or different from oneanother to accommodate, for example, a threaded end of conduit on oneside and a non-threaded end of the conduit on the other side. Numerousvariations are possible in this regard to connect the same or differenttypes of conduits in-line to one another (i.e., substantially aligned toextend along a common axis), at right angles to one another, or atoblique angles to one another as desired or as needed to completeraceway installations at particular sites.

A rigid metal conduit raceway system may be assembled including anynumber of rigid metal conduits, and any number of press fit conduletassemblies establishing mechanical and electrical connections betweenrespective ones of the plurality of rigid metal conduits. The conduitsand/or condulet assemblies described herein may be provided as modularcomponents in the form of a kit to construct raceway systems of apredetermined type that may avoid any need to cut the conduits on a jobsite, or as a kit of modular component parts that may be creatively usedby an installer to fabricate raceway runs in any configuration desired.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary method 600 of fabricating an electricalraceway. Method 600 includes providing 602 a conduit and a press fitcondulet assembly. The press fit condulet assembly may include any ofthe examples or embodiments described above, and accordingly may includean inner diameter at an end of the condulet assembly greater than theouter diameter of the conduit at an end of the conduit. Method 600further includes positioning 604, a gripping ring, such as any of thegripping rings described above, about an end of the conduit. Method 600also includes positioning 606 a gasket, including any of the gasketsdescribed above, about the end of the conduit such that gasket isadjacent to the gripping ring. Further, method 600 includes inserting608 an end of the conduit into the end of the condulet assembly untilthe gripping ring and the gasket are positioned inside the conduletassembly. The assembly is completed by applying a cold compression forceto the outer surface of the condulet assembly to compress the gasket,the gripping ring, and either the condulet or an adapter to couple tothe conduit.

The configurations of the conduit and conduit outlet assembly may bereversed from the embodiments illustrated in another contemplatedembodiment. That is, the condulet may be inserted into a conduitdirectly or indirectly through an adapter, while still providing asealed connection including an electrical ground path. Similarly, theconfigurations of the adapter and the condulet may be reversed such thatthe condulet is inserted into an adapter to complete a sealed connectionincluding a ground path.

The exemplary embodiments of conduit outlet assemblies described hereininclude a gasket for sealing the connection between condulet assembliesand the conduit, a gripping ring that provides grounding of theraceways, and an optional washer. Threads do not need to be createdbefore connecting condulet assemblies with conduits. Conduit outletassemblies and condulet assemblies described herein may be used withunthreaded or threaded sections of conduits, replacing conduitconnections via threaded hubs. The seal formed by the conduit outletassembly keeps water from entering into the conduit.

The benefits and advantages of the inventive concepts are now believedto have been amply illustrated in relation to the exemplary embodimentsdisclosed. For example, the embodiments described herein facilitateraceway fabrication without creating threads on conduits or withoutusing conduit having threads, thereby reducing or eliminating cost,safety risks, and labor associated with threaded connections betweenconduits and condulets. Avoiding a need to create threads also reducesor eliminates imperfections such as burrs in the conduits, therebyreducing or eliminating damage to electrical wires when being pulledthrough and/or weakened threaded connection. Additionally, embodimentsof the systems and methods provide a secure connection of conduitsthrough which electrical wires run. For example, the seal formed by theconduit outlet assemblies described herein keeps water from enteringinside conduits and interfering with electricity carried by electricalwires, thereby eliminating additional material or processes to seal theconnections in known systems and methods. Further, embodiments of thesystems and methods provide a grounding path for the raceway. Forexample, gripping rings of the conduit outlet assemblies describedherein also serve as a grounding path for the raceway, therebyeliminating additional material or procedures to establish groundingpath for the raceway, especially when the conduit and condulets are notformed with electrically-conductive material.

An embodiment of a conduit outlet assembly for a rigid metal conduitraceway of an electrical system has been disclosed. A conduit outletassembly includes a gasket, a gripping ring, and a condulet assembly.The gasket is sized to circumscribe an outer surface of a rigid metalconduit of the rigid metal conduit raceway. The gripping ring is sizedto circumscribe the outer surface of the rigid metal conduit. Thecondulet assembly is sized to receive the rigid metal conduit, andincludes an adapter and a condulet. The adapter includes a compressionsection and a coupling section, wherein the compression section is sizedto receive the rigid metal conduit with the gasket and the gripping ringdisposed thereon. The condulet is sized to receive the coupling sectionof the adapter.

Optionally, after the condulet assembly is press-fitted onto the rigidmetal conduit, the gasket establishes a seal between the conduletassembly and the rigid metal conduit. The gripping ring includes anelectrical conductive material and provides grounding for the rigidmetal conduit raceway. The conduit outlet assembly is configured toreceive a rigid metal conduit having an unthreaded end, and the gasketis configured to establish a seal between the condulet assembly and therigid metal conduit at the unthreaded end. The adapter further includesa transition section formed between the compression section and thecoupling section, the transition section having an inner diameterbetween an inner diameter of the compression section and an innerdiameter of the coupling section. The adapter further includes atransition shoulder defined between the transition section and thecoupling section, the transition shoulder configured to restrict therigid metal conduit from being inserted farther into the conduletassembly. The conduit outlet assembly further includes a ring, whereinthe condulet includes a groove formed in an inner surface of thecondulet and sized to receive the ring. The coupling section includes aflared end, and the condulet includes a retaining shoulder configured toretain the flared end when the coupling section is inserted into thecondulet. The condulet includes a shoulder extending circumferentiallyfrom an inner surface of the condulet and configured to restrict thecoupling section of the adapter from being inserted farther into thecondulet.

Another embodiment of a conduit outlet assembly for a rigid metalconduit raceway of an electrical system has been disclosed. The conduitoutlet assembly includes a gasket, a gripping ring, and a conduletassembly. The gasket is sized to circumscribe an outer surface of arigid metal conduit of the rigid metal conduit raceway. The grippingring includes an electrical conductive material and sized tocircumscribe the outer surface of the rigid metal conduit. The conduletassembly is sized to receive the rigid metal conduit with the gasket andthe gripping ring disposed thereon. After the condulet assembly ispress-fitted onto the rigid metal conduit, the gasket establishes a sealbetween the condulet assembly and the rigid metal conduit and thegripping ring provides grounding for the rigid metal conduit raceway.

Optionally, the conduit outlet assembly is configured to receive a rigidmetal conduit having an unthreaded end, and the gasket is configured toestablish a seal between the condulet assembly and the rigid metalconduit at the unthreaded end. The condulet assembly includes a conduletsized to receive the rigid metal conduit with the gasket and thegripping ring disposed thereon. The condulet assembly includes acondulet including a shoulder extending circumferentially from an innersurface of the condulet. The condulet assembly further includes anadapter including a compression section and a coupling section, whereinthe compression section is sized to receive the rigid metal conduit withthe gasket and the gripping ring disposed thereon, and a condulet sizedto receive the coupling section of the adapter. The adapter furtherincludes a transition section formed between the compression section andthe coupling section, the transition section having an inner diameterbetween an inner diameter of the compression section and an innerdiameter of the coupling section. The conduit outlet assembly furtherincludes a ring, wherein the condulet includes a groove formed in aninner surface of the condulet and sized to receive the ring. Thecoupling section includes a flared end, and the condulet includes aretaining shoulder configured to retain the flared end when the couplingsection is inserted into the condulet. The condulet includes a shoulderextending circumferentially from an inner surface of the condulet andconfigured to restrict the coupling section of the adapter from beinginserted farther into the condulet.

An embodiment of a method of fabricating a rigid metal conduit racewayof an electrical system has been disclosed. The method includesproviding a rigid metal conduit and a condulet assembly, the conduletassembly sized to receive the rigid metal conduit. The method furtherincludes circumscribing an outer surface of the rigid metal conduit witha gripping ring at an end of the rigid metal conduit, wherein thegripping ring includes an electrically-conductive material. The methodalso includes circumscribing the outer surface of the rigid metalconduit adjacent the gripping ring with a gasket, and inserting the endof the rigid metal conduit into an end of the condulet assembly untilthe gripping ring and the gasket are disposed inside the conduletassembly. Further, the method includes applying compression force to anouter surface of the condulet assembly to compress the conduletassembly, the gasket, and the gripping ring against the rigid metalconduit such that the gasket establishes a seal between the conduletassembly and the rigid metal conduit. The gripping ring providesgrounding for the rigid metal conduit raceway.

Optionally, providing a rigid metal conduit and a condulet assemblyfurther includes providing an adapter and a condulet, the adapterincluding a compression section and a coupling section, the compressionsection sized to receive the rigid metal conduit with the gasket and thegripping ring disposed thereon, and the condulet sized to receive thecoupling section of the adapter. Inserting the end of the rigid metalconduit further includes coupling the coupling section of the adapter tothe condulet to form the condulet assembly, and inserting the end of therigid metal conduit into the compression section of the adapter untilthe gripping ring and the gasket are disposed inside the conduletassembly. Applying compression force further includes applyingcompression force to an outer surface of the compression section of theadapter to compress the compression section, the gasket, and thegripping ring against the rigid metal conduit.

While exemplary embodiments of components, assemblies and systems aredescribed, variations of the components, assemblies and systems arepossible to achieve similar advantages and effects. Specifically, theshape and the geometry of the components and assemblies, and therelative locations of the components in the assembly, may be varied fromthat described and depicted without departing from inventive conceptsdescribed. Also, in certain embodiments certain of the components in theassemblies described may be omitted to accommodate particular types ofconduit or the needs of particular installations, while still providingcost effective cold press fit coupling connections of conduit forelectrical wiring or cabling.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal languages of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A conduit outlet assembly for a rigid metalconduit raceway of an electrical system, comprising: a gasket sized tocircumscribe an outer surface of a rigid metal conduit of the rigidmetal conduit raceway; a gripping ring sized to circumscribe the outersurface of the rigid metal conduit; and a condulet assembly sized toreceive the rigid metal conduit, comprising: an adapter including acompression section and a coupling section, wherein the compressionsection is sized to receive the rigid metal conduit with the gasket andthe gripping ring disposed thereon; and a condulet sized to receive thecoupling section of the adapter.
 2. The conduit outlet assembly of claim1, wherein after the condulet assembly is press-fitted onto the rigidmetal conduit, the gasket establishes a seal between the conduletassembly and the rigid metal conduit.
 3. The conduit outlet assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the gripping ring comprises an electrical conductivematerial and provides grounding for the rigid metal conduit raceway. 4.The conduit outlet assembly of claim 1, wherein the conduit outletassembly is configured to receive a rigid metal conduit having anunthreaded end, and the gasket is configured to establish a seal betweenthe condulet assembly and the rigid metal conduit at the unthreaded end.5. The conduit outlet assembly of claim 1, wherein the adapter furthercomprises a transition section formed between the compression sectionand the coupling section, the transition section having an innerdiameter between an inner diameter of the compression section and aninner diameter of the coupling section.
 6. The conduit outlet assemblyof claim 5, wherein the adapter further comprises a transition shoulderdefined between the transition section and the coupling section, thetransition shoulder configured to restrict the rigid metal conduit frombeing inserted farther into the condulet assembly.
 7. The conduit outletassembly of claim 1, further comprising a ring, wherein the conduletcomprises a groove formed in an inner surface of the condulet and sizedto receive the ring.
 8. The conduit outlet assembly of claim 1, whereinthe coupling section comprises a flared end, and the condulet comprisesa retaining shoulder configured to retain the flared end when thecoupling section is inserted into the condulet.
 9. The conduit outletassembly of claim 1, wherein the condulet comprises a shoulder extendingcircumferentially from an inner surface of the condulet and configuredto restrict the coupling section of the adapter from being insertedfarther into the condulet.
 10. A conduit outlet assembly for a rigidmetal conduit raceway of an electrical system, comprising: a gasketsized to circumscribe an outer surface of a rigid metal conduit of therigid metal conduit raceway; a gripping ring comprising an electricalconductive material and sized to circumscribe the outer surface of therigid metal conduit; and a condulet assembly sized to receive the rigidmetal conduit with the gasket and the gripping ring disposed thereon,wherein after the condulet assembly is press-fitted onto the rigid metalconduit, the gasket establishes a seal between the condulet assembly andthe rigid metal conduit and the gripping ring provides grounding for therigid metal conduit raceway.
 11. The conduit outlet assembly of claim10, wherein the conduit outlet assembly is configured to receive a rigidmetal conduit having an unthreaded end, and the gasket is configured toestablish a seal between the condulet assembly and the rigid metalconduit at the unthreaded end.
 12. The conduit outlet assembly of claim10, wherein the condulet assembly comprises a condulet sized to receivethe rigid metal conduit with the gasket and the gripping ring disposedthereon.
 13. The conduit outlet assembly of claim 10, wherein thecondulet assembly comprises a condulet including a shoulder extendingcircumferentially from an inner surface of the condulet.
 14. The conduitoutlet assembly of claim 10, wherein the condulet assembly furthercomprises: an adapter comprising a compression section and a couplingsection, wherein the compression section is sized to receive the rigidmetal conduit with the gasket and the gripping ring disposed thereon;and a condulet sized to receive the coupling section of the adapter. 15.The conduit outlet assembly of claim 14, wherein the adapter furthercomprises a transition section formed between the compression sectionand the coupling section, the transition section having an innerdiameter between an inner diameter of the compression section and aninner diameter of the coupling section.
 16. The conduit outlet assemblyof claim 14, further comprising a ring, wherein the condulet comprises agroove formed in an inner surface of the condulet and sized to receivethe ring.
 17. The conduit outlet assembly of claim 14, wherein thecoupling section comprises a flared end, and the condulet comprises aretaining shoulder configured to retain the flared end when the couplingsection is inserted into the condulet.
 18. The conduit outlet assemblyof claim 14, wherein the condulet comprises a shoulder extendingcircumferentially from an inner surface of the condulet and configuredto restrict the coupling section of the adapter from being insertedfarther into the condulet.
 19. A method of fabricating a rigid metalconduit raceway of an electrical system, the method comprising:providing a rigid metal conduit and a condulet assembly, the conduletassembly sized to receive the rigid metal conduit; circumscribing anouter surface of the rigid metal conduit with a gripping ring at an endof the rigid metal conduit, wherein the gripping ring includes anelectrically-conductive material; circumscribing the outer surface ofthe rigid metal conduit adjacent the gripping ring with a gasket;inserting the end of the rigid metal conduit into an end of the conduletassembly until the gripping ring and the gasket are disposed inside thecondulet assembly; and applying compression force to an outer surface ofthe condulet assembly to compress the condulet assembly, the gasket, andthe gripping ring against the rigid metal conduit such that the gasketestablishes a seal between the condulet assembly and the rigid metalconduit, wherein the gripping ring provides grounding for the rigidmetal conduit raceway.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein: providing arigid metal conduit and a condulet assembly further comprises: providingan adapter and a condulet, the adapter including a compression sectionand a coupling section, the compression section sized to receive therigid metal conduit with the gasket and the gripping ring disposedthereon, and the condulet sized to receive the coupling section of theadapter; inserting the end of the rigid metal conduit further comprises:coupling the coupling section of the adapter to the condulet to form thecondulet assembly; and inserting the end of the rigid metal conduit intothe compression section of the adapter until the gripping ring and thegasket are disposed inside the condulet assembly; and applyingcompression force further comprises: applying compression force to anouter surface of the compression section of the adapter to compress thecompression section, the gasket, and the gripping ring against the rigidmetal conduit.